After I've knocked Burns out, the Scots will love me! Mitchell confident ahead of title fight

|

UPDATED:

11:08 GMT, 19 September 2012

Kevin Mitchell insists he can't wait to enter the 'Lion's Den' in Glasgow this weekend as the Dagenham Destroyer looks to snatch the WBO World Lightweight title from home hero Ricky Burns.

In what is one of the most-eagerly anticipated domestic contests in years, Mitchell headed north of the border on Wednesday ahead of Saturday's 'Battle of Britain'.

Over 10,000 fans are expected at the SECC Arena in the Scottish city, with the majority rooting for Coatbridge fighter Burns to retain his crown.

Ready to rumble: Ricky Burns (R) will defend his WBO World Lightweight title against Kevin Mitchell in Glasgow

Mitchell, 27, insists he is unfazed by the prospect of a hostile atmosphere and is confident he can fulfill his self-proclaimed destiny of walking away as the new world champion… with a few new followers in tow.

'I guarantee the Jocks won’t be any more naughty than the Russians I faced when I went over there as a young teenager in the amateurs,' he said, speaking to BoxNation.

'I’ve travelled all around the world with the boxing.

'I bashed up John Murray in the north-west before his crowd so fighting in Scotland won’t be an issue at all.

'After I’ve knocked him out, all the Jocks will be loving me. Just you watch 'em!'

Mitchell is under no illusions at the size of the task that awaits him though.

'Don’t get me wrong, I’m expecting a very, very hard fight,' he added.

'Ricky’s quality all the way round. He’s quick, has a hard accurate jab, can box and he also punches plenty hard enough to the body.'

Showtime: Mitchell is determined to beat Burns (pictured) in front of the Scottish fans

But despite going into the bout as the underdog, Mitchell is confident he carve out the beginnings to his dream of becoming a boxing superstar and land his first ever world championship.

'I’ve got faster hands, more power and better agility,' said Mitchell.

'We know Burns can be hurt. Unlike me, he’s been put on the floor several times.

'Also, there’s my determination to become a world champion. That’s something I’ve really wanted since I was a little nine year old baby. Ricky’s already experienced that, I haven’t. My hunger is greater than his.

'This is probably my last chance. To still achieve all the things that I intend to achieve in boxing, it has to happen for me in Glasgow on Saturday night.

'I’m finally ready to become a superstar that everyone remembers, like my heroes, Barry McGuigan, Chris Eubank and Naseem (Hamed).'

Mitchell, meanwhile, is even more determined to win in Scotland as he vowed to dedicate his fight to his brave seven-year-old cousin Mitchell Huth, who sadly lost his battle with cancer last month.